CVE-2021-3236
vim: NULL pointer dereference in ex_buffer_all method
Severity
LowRed Hat Product Security
CVSS 3.1
Review impact separately from score.
Published · January 14, 2021
Updated · November 21, 2025
Description
A NULL pointer dereference vulnerability was found in Vim in the ex_buffer_all function in the src/buffer.c file. This flaw allows an attacker who can trick a user into processing a specially crafted file to trigger the NULL pointer dereference, causing the application to crash.
Statement
Red Hat Product Security has rated this issue as having a Low security impact because the user has to run an untrusted file IN SCRIPT MODE. Someone who is running untrusted files in script mode is equivalent to someone just taking a random python script and running it.
For additional information, refer to the Issue Severity Classification: https://access.redhat.com/security/updates/classification/ and Red Hat Enterprise Linux Life Cycle & Updates Policy: https://access.redhat.com/support/policy/updates/errata/.
CVSS score applicability
The CVSS score(s) listed for this vulnerability do not reflect the associated product's status, and are included for informational purposes to better understand the severity of this vulnerability.
Mitigation
Do not run untrusted vim scripts as it's not recommended.
CVSS / CWE
CVSS 3.1 · 5.5CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H
CWE-476 · NULL Pointer Dereference